Five finalist teams from the Care Innovation Challenge creative weekend spent the morning of 10 August presenting their ideas for innovation in social care to Alice Ainsworth, deputy director adult social care technology policy team, NHS transformation directorate at the Department of Health and Social Care’s Victoria Street office. 

NHS transformation director Alice Ainsworth thanked the teams for all their efforts so far, saying, “All the ideas are viable solutions for reform. We are looking forward to working with you to see how your innovations can improve the outputs for people needing social care.”

Team Star have proposed local re-ablement and assessments with housing for people living with dementia, and Team CHIP’s idea is a cashless solution for adults with learning disabilities to support independent living. Team Myghty’s innovation is an app to foster employee recognition and team working to improve staff retention. Team Care Tech Guide focused on accelerating digital transformation in care and Team Fall Free’s idea is a solution to prevent falls and fractures in older people. 

The Care Innovation Hub launched the Care Innovation Challenge in 2018, an annual incubator programme. Bringing together entrepreneurs and innovators – university students and care sector colleagues – to create solutions to key challenges facing the care sector. After pausing operations due to Covid-19, the National Care Forum (NCF) took over the running of the Hub and the annual challenge on behalf of the whole sector, supported by Think Local Act Personal (TLAP).

Minister of state for care and mental health Gillian Keegan said that of the £5.4bn that is being invested into reforming social care, at least £150 million will go to driving digital transformation in the sector.

“When technology is embedded seamlessly into care and support services, it can be transformative, enhancing the quality of care and helping people to live more independent, fulfilled lives,” Keegan added. “That is why the innovative ideas generated by the contestants in the Care Innovation Challenge are vital in demonstrating the power of technology to transform the care system.”

Professor Vic Rayner OBE, chief executive of the NCF said, “It is great to see how the teams have all been developing their ideas since the weekend, using their prize money and supported by our amazing mentors. We have more support planned to help accelerate their ideas between now and the final at The Care Show, including several webinars, access to helpful resources and further mentoring. I can’t wait to see how the ideas continue to progress.”

The teams and Vic then met Tom Parker, deputy director of health & social care at Public UK to explore how their ideas can be accelerated. Parker said: “You are the people who are key to creating change in social care.” 

The five finalist teams will be showcasing their ideas at The Care Show and the winning team will receive £1,000 in prize money, media coverage and further mentoring to develop their idea. 

Mentors include representatives from Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) through their National Co-production Advisory Group (NCAG), ensuring that people with lived experience are an integral part of creating solutions and from the sponsors which include RWK Goodman, QCS, Person Centred Software, Marrgo, Home Instead, Hilton Nursing Partners, Hallmark Foundation, Greensleeves Care, Care Matched, Care Management Matters, Care Friends, BRAN Investment, Borough Care and apetito.